A transport history request and appeal to clarify a confused memory, after being away from the town for many years, Concerns the Crosville Bus services, I have a vague recollection of getting one of their buses, around about 1969/71 to Loggerheads. Could that be so? Crosville ran a service there? Or, in the words of DCI Sam Tyler, "Am I mad, in a dream...?" Any help much appreciated.
Wonderful Seem to recall it was a cheap way to have an adventure out there is the wilds of Wales, great fun and always a reliable service from Crosville, the more gentrified cousims of MPTE
yes there were various routes from Wirral to destinations in Wales. The the F series included without checking to be accurate, F8 MOLD, F10 PANTYMWN, F11 LOGGERHEADS. there were also express services to Rhyl, Llandudno, Pwhelli and Barmouth to mention just a couple.
Yes cindi, folk on here will help other if at all possible. Great to exchange views, opinions, memories etc. All good sfuff!!
I agree Erainn, the Crosville buses (and staff) gave the impression of being a couple of notches up from the corporation buses - good as they were. A personal opinion is that things started to go downhill when MPTE took over. The civic pride that Wallasey, Birkenhead and Liverpool had went down the drain and standards fell.
The Crosville's even had a different smell to them ! The side gangway on the low bridge d/deckers. Great for smashing you head on in the lower saloon if you didn't read the notice on the seat in front.... "Please mind your head when leaving seat" etc.
Our nanny state wouldn't allow that now of course !
In the (very) early 60s I went to Carlett Park college at Eastham. My route there was train from Wallasey Village to Hamilton Square and then the F10 Crosville to the college. Long time ago ie 1961/2 There were a number of class colleagues also used the F10 and there were odd days when we just said "sod it" and went to Loggerheads rather than college
I remember also that at one time there was a nerd on the bus who had acquired a tranny radio and used to play it loud during the journey. It was not appreciated. Being a bit into electronics at the time I built a gizmo (in a tabacco tin) that emitted a signal which would wipe out all his radio signals (and I guess the same for other folk whose houses we passed - although the range would have been limited). It worked - the radio just emitted a nasty squealing sound. I guess he just though it was a fault with his radio although surely he must have noticed it worked ok anywhere else.
Snod
5 Precepts of Buddhism seem appropriate. Refrain from taking life. Refrain from taking that which is not given. Refrain from misconduct. Refrain from lying. Refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness
In the (very) early 60s I went to Carlett Park college at Eastham. My route there was train from Wallasey Village to Hamilton Square and then the F10 Crosville to the college. Long time ago ie 1961/2 There were a number of class colleagues also used the F10 and there were odd days when we just said "sod it" and went to Loggerheads rather than college
I remember also that at one time there was a nerd on the bus who had acquired a tranny radio and used to play it loud during the journey. It was not appreciated. Being a bit into electronics at the time I built a gizmo (in a tabacco tin) that emitted a signal which would wipe out all his radio signals (and I guess the same for other folk whose houses we passed - although the range would have been limited). It worked - the radio just emitted a nasty squealing sound. I guess he just though it was a fault with his radio although surely he must have noticed it worked ok anywhere else.
The Crosvilles used to do the routes that fell outside of Birkenhead boundaries, like Hoylake and West Kirby as well as going the other way towards Chester. Correct about the changeover from B'head to MPTE. I was at Laird Street as a driver and remember talking to a boss who said that whereas he was "the boss" under Birkenhead Corporation he was doing the same job under MPTE but had 5 people above him in the hierarchy. To me that meant 5 more big wages on top of the usual, bigger doesn't necessarily mean better and that was a good example of it. Enjoyed the job though until I fell foul of the authorities, bummer!
The 'normal' Crosville bus from Liscard was the F34, which went down to Leasowe along Reeds Lane,(where I used to get it on a Saturday to go to my nan's house) thru Moreton and Hoylake to West Kirby .... then as a modern day 437, thru Frankby, Greasby and Upton to Park Station, Crosville buses were not allowed further into Birkenhead via Park Rd, until all the services were recast in April 1979.
I used to like Crosville and still do, my Grandad worked there and I did in later life, so I was very proud especially my mum was as I stopped to pick her up in a Crossy double deck bus when I was 20 .. the youngest driver they had!
thanks for the confirmation
